FLORAL OrERATIONS FOE THE MONTH.' 263 



then a layer of earth. Follow up this plan, and the fire will spread 

 through the whole heap ; and any amount of earth may be burnt by 

 continually adding to those places wiiere the fire appears strongest. 

 The soil burnt here is tlie stifl'est loam that can be found within our 

 limits, and which is rather of a clayey nature ; also turf from the sides 

 of ditches and ponds, in itself naturally sour and full of rank M'eeds. 



" Burnt earth has been found beneficial in every instance where 

 applied. In black garden mould, rather M'et, in which Peach-trees 

 were disposed to sucker and canker, despite of the use of various 

 manures, two or three annual dressings of it appear so to have altered 

 the nature of the soil that they now grow clean, vigorous, and healtliy, 

 are free from suckers, and produce roots completely matted with fibre. 

 The like success has attended its application to various other trees." 



So again with manure. The author is not misled by the excellence 

 of stable manure to recommend it for light land ; on the contrary, he 

 is perfectly aware of the bad eifect produced there by its mechanical 

 action, and well observes — 



" That stable manure, which is excellent in most cases, and the kind 

 in general use for Roses, is not of the best description for light soils. 

 Its tendency is to render them still lighter; and, if it can be dispensed 

 with, we think it desirable to do so. Manures should be applied here 

 in a more concentrated form. Cow-dung is excellent, especially for 

 the tea-scented Roses; and pigeon-dung, rabbit-dung, and night-soil, 

 are all great improvers of light soils." 



Dahlias. — Let the crown of the roots be covered, heaping a few 

 inches deep of soil around the stems. 



Shrubs of all kinds may now be planted (see remarks in our Sep- 

 tember Calendar). 



Shrubs, &c., for Winter Bloom. — Such as are to bloom early 

 should be gradually prepared, potted immediately, if required, and by 

 the middle of the montli introduce such as are desired to bloom by 

 Christmas into tlie house or pit. The kinds which are well deserving 

 sucii attention are Roses, Honeysuckles, Jasmines, Azaleas, Kalmias, 

 Persian Lilacs, Andromedas, Carnations, Pinks, of which Anne 

 Boleyn is the best. Rhododendrons, Rhodora, Deutzias, Ribes, Spirea 

 prunifolia, Mezereum, Gardenias, Cupheas, Heliotropes (the new blue 

 is fine), Scarlet Pelargoniums, Cactus, Eranthemums, Justicias, Salvia, 

 Gesnerias, Corrasas, Chinese Primrose, Aconites, Mignonette, Prim- 

 roses, Cinerarias, Stocks, Persian Iris, Crocus, Cyclamens, Sweet 

 Violets, Hyacinths, Lily of the Valley, &c. 



Zir THE CBEEWHOVSi:, &,c. 



If the stock is not housed, it ought to be done immediately, and, as 

 has been observed in a former Calendar, much judicious attention is 

 necessary in the placing properly a mixed collection of plants. Care 

 must be taken so that one plant may receive something like its proper 

 treatment without interfering materially with the well-being of its 

 neighbours ; and whilst the tender ones must be placed in the best 

 part for protection from cold wind, &c., as Poiygalas, Pimeleas, 

 Leschenaultias, Aphelexis, Baroneas, Gompholobiums, Croweas, and 



